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did your father change his name to peter because he was not divorced from his first he would then say he was a batchelor on his second marriage you don't change your name unless you have something to hide
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It would seem fair to assume that after changing his name to Peter Underwood, my father did not want to be found by his first family, but what would be the reason for that?
Austin: I do vaguely remember him having a tattoo of an anchor, something which was pretty common among naval people. But I don't remember a scar on his left upper arm, or a mole on his chest/cheek, but then again I was only 9 when he died and there is a lot about him that I don't remember.
His father's name on the marriage certificate says Herbert Underwood (deceased), Exporter. That is false information. Isn't that illegal? Underwood was his grandmother's maiden name.
I read somewhere that the 1921 census is soon to be released and when it is, it might be possible to locate him from that.
There is nobody from the Botting family who I can contact. They had no children and both died a long time ago and I never knew any other relatives they might have had..
Re the two marriages you found - Stewart Smith marries Susanna Fox in 1923 in South Shields, and there are two children, Stewart Jr. and Stella.
I will research this one on Ancestry
In 1921 Stewart Smith marries Elizabeth Farrow in Chesterfield, possible daughter Renée, born 1922. I'll try a search for these as well.
As always, many thanks to all for your comments and help
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Re the Stewart Smith. Susannah Fox marriage- I noted Susannah was living in Charlotte Street in 1939:
A 1940 article in the paper makes mention of a Stewart Smith from Charlotte Street. He had been aboard the SS Newton Beech when it was captured in November 1939 and taken as a prisoner of war.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle - Saturday 17 February 1940
NORTH MEN ON ALTMARK
North-East Crews
They May Be Among Rescued Prisoners
Of the Tyneside men believed to be among the prisoners rescued from the Altmark are the following....
SS Newton Beech-: Stewart Smith third engineer, Charlotte Street
However, if he returned to Susannah I don't see a death in Newcastle upon Tyne for him.
EDIT: I've just found a photo in the paper of this Stewart Smith which I presumed was taken after his rescue so it's doubtful he was your father. I'll pm the picture, then you can be sure.
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Just chucking in a few bits that might relate to the Stewart Smith/ Elizabeth Farrow marriage.
They married in Chesterfield, Derbyshire-
Thought this could be Elizabeth with her family:
1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
49 Southgate Eckington Sheffield, Eckington, Derbyshire, England
Edward Farrow Head Married Male Coal Miner Hewer 48 1863 Yorkshire Tickhill
Annie Farrow Wife Married Female - 44 1867 Lancashire Gorton
Elizabeth Farrow Daughter - Female School 10 1901 Derbyshire Eckington
Beatrice Farrow Daughter - Female - 7 1904 Derbyshire Eckington
George Farrow Son - Male - 4 1907 Derbyshire Eckington
William Cousins Step-Son Single Male Pit Top Hand Labourer 18 1893 Derbyshire Eckington
Kettie Cousins Stepdaughter Single Female - 15 1896 Derbyshire Eckington
Lilian Cousins Stepdaughter - Female School 12 1899 Derbyshire Eckington
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Usefully, the school admission registers give her date of birth:
National School Admission Registers
name(s) Elizabeth Farrow
Birth date 18 Mar 1901
Event year 1909
School name Eckington Camms School
Town Eckington
County Derbyshire
Parent name(s) Edward
Book type Admissions
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Using the date of birth I found her in 1939- with surname Smith, so I assume it's the correct Elizabeth, and she's living with her Mum, Annie Farrow:
Farrow Household 20 Lansbury Road,Eckington , Chesterfield R.D., Derbyshire,
Annie Farrow 16 Aug 1866 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married
Elizabeth Kay (Smith) 18 Mar 1901 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married
1 closed record
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Elizabeth married in 1942:
name(s) Elizabeth Smith/ Elizabeth Farrow
Marriage year 1942
Parish Chesterfield Register Office
Place Chesterfield
Spouse's name Edwin Kay
Reference RO/114/097
Register Office Chesterfield
County Derbyshire
and died in 1985: (her husband Edwin Kay died in 1977)
Name: Elizabeth Kay
Birth Date: 18 Mar 1901
Date of Registration: Jan 1985
Age at Death: 83
Registration district: Lichfield
Inferred County: Staffordshire
Volume: 30 Page: 1006
-----------------------------
Elizabeth and Edwin had a son in 1943.
I don't see a relevant death for her first husband Stewart.
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OK- just found this. Stewart is spelled Stuart, but it is the correct couple (Stewart Smith/ Elizabeth Farrow):
Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald - Saturday 27 September 1924
Young Couple's Troubles
Eckington Wife Seeks Separation
The troubles of a young married couple were related to the Eckington Bench on Monday, when Elizabeth Smith (23), now living at Southgate, Eckington, summoned her husband Stuart Smith, fireman, Chapel Street, Mosbro' for persistent cruelty.
The article goes on to say:-
There was one child born to the marriage. Elizabeth's mother, Annie Farrow said her daughter had complained of his ill treatment, but she did not want them to separate. No evidence of persistent cruelty was found- the Bench suggested adjourning matters for a month so the couple could make up their differences.
Elizabeth did not want the case adjourned and said she would not return to husband. The defendant (Stuart Smith) was willing to take her back or pay 25s a week in the meantime.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a month.
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A month later another article in the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald - Saturday 25 October 1924.
WIFE'S CASE FAILS
ECKINGTON WOMAN'S APPLICATION DISMISSED
The article states that the couple had not made up. Elizabeth said under no circumstances would she return to her husband. Again, no evidence of cruelty found and case was dismissed.
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So, if this is the correct Stewart (and he certainly seems to be a contender)- would being accused of persistent cruelty, having your wife refuse to live with you, and having it reported in the papers be enough to make him change his name?
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Afternoon David,
Have you had chance to look through the information? I wondered what your thoughts were?
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Very interesting, Austin. From the info you have found I would discount the marriage to Susanna Fox. The man in the photo is not my father. From what I was told he was never a prisoner of war, but I know he was torpedoed and spent several long hours in the water before being rescued, which contributed to his chest condition for the rest of his life.
With regard to Elizabeth Farrow, we need to delve a little deeper. The story about cruelty and ill treatment is interesting but does not tie in with what I remember about my father who was a very mild and kind man who never lost his temper. But of course as the case in court was dismissed it would seem that she might have made it all up to get rid of him!! She could have been a psychotic nightmare wife, and he could have resorted to taking steps to disappear by changing his name and moving away as far as he could from where she was living, (just speculation of course!) who knows!
I haven't had much time to look into family trees lately but there might be one or two clues where I can link into somebody else's who could possibly shed some light on this saga.
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